Azeez Al-Shaair was ejected from the Texans’ Week 13 win after his hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. To no surprise, a suspension could be on the table. 
The NFL is reviewing the play in question, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports. Al-Shaair made contact with Lawrence’s head while the latter was sliding, and it resulted in him being carted off the field. Lawrence is now in concussion protocol. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds a ban is currently “anticipated,” with the matter of length being the only remaining question.
Al-Shaair has never been suspended in his career, but the sixth-year linebacker could be in line for supplemental discipline pending the outcome of the league’s review. Houston’s bye week is upcoming, so plenty of time remains for a decision on that front to be made before Al-Shaair would next be in line to suit up. The 27-year-old issued a statement on Monday addressing the matter.
“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that,” Al-Shaair said in part. “My goal is to hit you as hard as I can then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play… I genuinely didn’t see [Lawrence] sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.”
The Texans secured a 23-20 win yesterday, bringing their record to 8-5 on the year. The AFC South leaders have relied heavily on Al-Shaair at the second level of their defense, with the former UDFA starting evert game he has played in to date. Al-Shaair spent last year with the Titans, but during the offseason he inked a three-year, $34MM deal which allowed him to reunite with head coach DeMeco Ryans after their time spent together with the 49ers.
The FAU product has amassed 68 tackles this season, which ranks second on the team. Al-Shaair has also matched his personal best with two sacks in 2024, and losing him for any period would deal a blow to Houston’s defense. That unit could be shorthanded depending on how the NFL proceeds.
It does all happen in the blink of eye, faster than most of us can imagine, but almost everyone in the league still manages to not lay hits like that.
Well on QBs at least. WRs are a different story.
Personally defenseless receiver doesn’t get called enough in the NFL. Happens all the time in some way shape or form.
Receiver goes up to catch a ball in end zone and gets hit coming down with it from someone trying to break up the catch.
Receiver is clearly being tackled but still takes a shot in the back as he’s going to the ground.
Receiver is heading out of bounds or being tackled heading out of bounds still gets hit by another defender at times.
“Defenseless receiver” is for crossing routes. No one wants to see a WR become untouchable once he jumps for a ball. That would be lunacy. This is still football.
Its also for a WR who is being tackled and cant protect themselves from being hit by a defender in the back neck head area.
Its for receivers who jump, grab a ball, and cant use their hands to protect themselves from being leveled near the head/neck area
Defenseless receiver is far more than just crossing routes. And doesnt get called nearly as much as it should.
You can still play football without trying to intentionally hurt a dude with a big hit or late hit. He jumps just shove him out of bounds or towards the boundry. No reason to use your shoulder and smash him when he’s coming down.
I disagree with your assessment of defenseless receiver.
It’s a fine line. A very fine line. But he crossed it. I don’t think he’s a dirty player, but it was a dirty play.
His recent history says otherwise.
I’m not buying his statement at all. He wanted to send a message and “live rent free” in Lawrence’s head.
Even his teammate (I forget who) made a similarly boneheaded statement that the hit would’ve been legal a few years ago.
Football has always been a contact sport; no argument there. But its best players played with ferocity without using that passion as an excuse for complete abandon and disregard for a fellow competitor’s health & safety … that’s always been the calling car of the historically notorious players
Great company bud
Needs to be fined and suspended no question. Went in head up and forearm out. Saw a still shot of Lawrence looking at him eyes wide knowing what was coming but no way to avoid it. Another apology written by lawyers to try and excuse the actions of a guy who did something dirty but needs to try and look good.
team captain? Lol
Dirty Player, no way around it, 3 incidents kn a season says dirty. Flip it once, if he’d recovered a fumble and had a similar slide/fall as a result then got clocked like that, he’d be going off on the player, the opposing team and all islamaphobes or whatever.
If the league cared about player safety, he’d be banned for life.
If the PA cared about player safety, they’d let him be.
Needs to pay a heavy fine AND be banned for the remainder of the season. How would this dirty player feel if a Jaguar linebacker would have gone after the Texans QB’s head in an identical fashion. He is a DIRTY PLAYER !
Texans fan but clearly a dirty hit.
Lawrence slid too late. Couldnt be avoided with his height. Just dont put the linebacker in jail.
There is a photo of Lawrence with big eyes seeing him coming in and Shaair leading with his forearm. It all happened fast but he still had time to pull up or at least not lead with forearm. Was intentional to send a message. You also can’t blame the victim for doing their job.
He didn’t see Lawrence sliding? So he was going to fly headfirst at his Trevor’s knees?
Just saw a full speed replay. It didn’t seem that egregious to me, actually. Maybe it looks worse in slow mo.
Lawrence slid late and by that time the LB was no longer in “should I hit him?” mode.
I don’t believe Lawrence slid late but the real question is why is a franchise QB with a bum shoulder trying to pretend he is a RB in a game that is meaningless as far as their playoff chances go? Trevor’s decision making really needs to improve.
I’ve no doubt Azeez will be fined and suspended. Goodell can’t let something as blatant as that slide or he will be laughed at every time he starts talking about player safety. The Texans are a playoff contender and the incident did not occur with the score one sided so those factors may work in Al-Shaair’s favor.
It ALL smells …
Goodell and the league are already laughed at for wanting and continuing TNF … money over safety, every time.